No end to burning of leaves, 2 fresh cases reported

Law prohibits burning of leaves but the practice continues unabated in the city. One such incident came to light on Thursday morning where leaves along with plastic and garbage were seen burning in two different areas of Gurgaon.

One was spotted in the green belt on Sunset Boulevard road, near Kachra Chowk and the other was near Supermart-I, DLF City phase 4.

Burning of leaves along with garbage causes respiratory problems as gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide emanate from its smoke. It also add to air pollution.

Earlier, on May 7, HT had published a story ‘Burning of leaves continues despite high court ban’ highlighting the rampant illegal activity across Gurgaon.

Environmentalist, Harish Capoor has a solution for this problem. “With the administration’s consent, within DLF City phase-1, I along with other environmentalists worked on making trenches, five-foot-deep and four-foot-broad, where leaves are collected and put. These leaves are left in the trenches for six-seven months. This keeps the roads clean and one can also make manure in the trenches,” said Capoor. “One needs to remember that while putting the leaves in the trenches, polybags and garbage need to be meticulously removed,” added Capoor.

“Such activities are a nuisance and we do not know who is responsible for this. Awareness is the key to resolve them. Insects also get burned along with leaves which disturb the ecology,” said an official of the Haryana state pollution control board.